Code Enforcement Inspector I-II, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement

City of San Jose•San Jose, CA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of San José's Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement serves to ensure the orderly and safe development of private properties, compliance with all applicable building, zoning, and quality of life ordinances and regulations, and to promote healthy and safe community standards. This is accomplished by departmental staff in service to customers by: Assisting and guiding land use and development to promote long-term goals and objectives that render safe, beneficial, and more sustainable communities. Providing orderly administration and compliance of building codes, as mandated by the various levels of government, to ensure the construction of buildings, homes, and structures meet intended life safety and structural requirements. Investigating and resolving citizen complaints of municipal code violations on private property in order to promote, maintain, and improve quality of life issues that better allow for safe and harmonious conditions in all neighborhoods. The Department is seeking applicants who are committed to understanding, executing, and improving the customer experience to best achieve the above goals and objectives. This includes providing excellent service and guidance to residents, property and business owners, developers, and other stakeholders throughout the planning, building, and code enforcement processes. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as the department values building positive relationships and fostering collaboration with other departments, agencies, and the community. Additionally, applicants who possess a strong knowledge of planning principles, building codes, and/or regulatory requirements will be highly valued, as they will play a key role in ensuring compliance and promoting healthy, safe, and sustainable development practices. The primary goal and objective of the Code Enforcement Division is to work, in conjunction with property owners, business owners, and residents, to promote and maintain the health, safety, and quality of life for all neighborhoods, by facilitating compliance with City Municipal Codes and standards on private property. This includes aspects ranging from the quality of residential housing conditions to land-use zoning and business activities within all neighborhoods to ensure the highest health, safety, and quality of life for all neighborhoods. These goals and objectives are achieved through outreach, education, inspection, and administrative enforcement. The Code Enforcement Division is divided into the following three sections: Field Operations: Includes two core programs the Multiple Housing Program and Community Development Block Grant Program which provide proactive inspections, complaint response, and enforcement of rental units in buildings with three units or more. Special Operations: Includes the General Code Program which provides complaint response, inspection, and enforcement to all single family, condominium/townhomes, duplex, commercial and industrial private property city wide, and Special Programs which enforce municipal code regulations for various business types such as vacant buildings and storefronts, tobacco retail licensing, and abandoned shopping carts. Admin & Call Center: Provides front line customer service and support to staff in administrative functions. The Department’s Code Enforcement Division ensures private properties are in compliance with building, zoning, substandard housing, blight, and other various Municipal Codes through outreach, education, inspection, and administrative enforcement by way of the following activities annually: Conducting approximately 8,300 residential inspections within 1,760 multiple-housing buildings. Responding to and resolves approximately 3,300 General Code cases. Performing annual inspections of approximately 1,100 local businesses within the special programs categories. Responding to approximately 8,7000 customer phone calls.

Requirements

Two (2) years of undergraduate coursework from an accredited college or university (equivalent to 60 semester units or 90 quarter units)
Code Enforcement Inspector I: Two (2) years of experience serving the public in enforcement, inspection or investigation of local, state, or federal codes and/or regulations in areas such as housing, building, zoning, environmental, vehicle, and penal codes or a similar field.
Code Enforcement Inspector II: Two (2) years of experience performing code enforcement for a public agency at the level equivalent to Code Enforcement Inspector I with the City of San Jose.
Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California.
As a condition of employment, incumbents may be required to use their personal vehicles in performing the job duties.
Form 700 Requirement: This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. Incumbent will be required to complete Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests within the first 30 days of employment.
Code Enforcement Inspectors may be required to work a flexible schedule that may include working evenings or weekends.

Nice To Haves

Applicants with bilingual skills are encouraged to apply.
Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, and enforcement/inspection of local, state, and federal codes and regulations; ability to perform routine inspection, investigation, and enforcement of applicable codes and ordinances of an environmental, blight, zoning, housing, solid waste, building construction, land use, and sign enforcement nature; ability to perform routine arithmetic calculations.
Coaching - Provides guidance, opportunities and motivation to develop and strengthen knowledge, skills, and competencies to improve employee’s capabilities.
Conflict Management - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting the facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.
Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
Meeting Ethical Standards - When confronted with ethical dilemmas, acts in a way that reflects relevant law, policy and procedures, agency values, and personal values.
Multi-Tasking - Can effectively handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s)
Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome
Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Responsibilities

Perform inspections and complaint investigations of moderate difficulty involving code violations on residential, commercial, industrial, vacant, or other private property to ascertain and gather facts related to applicable ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations, and determine and institute proper enforcement action with conclusive results.
Perform a variety of technical field and office work associated with the enforcement of municipal and other related codes including complaint investigations involving code violations on residential, commercial, industrial, vacant, or other private property in order to determine and institute proper enforcement action and achieve conclusive results.
Issue administrative citations and notices.
Research and prepare cases for review by quasi-judicial board.
Utilizes administrative remedy process to conduct enforcement.
May participate in civil proceedings.
Issue administrative citations and notices for violations of City and State codes; research and prepare cases for review by quasi-judicial board.
Utilizes administrative remedy process to conduct enforcement, compile case files for public hearings and court proceedings; prepares and present cases during public hearings.
Participate in civil proceedings on behalf of the City as necessary.
Manage caseload and related tasks; respond timely and in compliance with internal procedures, policies, and target inspection response times.
Respond to public inquiries and complaints related to City code enforcement activities by understanding, interpreting, and explaining ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations to customers, residents, community groups, agencies, businesses, and other entities; analyze and recommend appropriate solutions to problems; participate in community meetings or events as well as make presentations.
Prepare notices, orders, reports, and correspondence for review and approval by supervisor; prepare and maintain a variety of records, reports, logs, memoranda, and files related to field and office investigations and activities.